Whiterun, Whiterun Hold
Skyrim, Nirn
The 10th of Heartfire, 4E202
Belinda awoke with a yawn, stretching and arching her back before flopping back down. She looked up at the ceiling for a bit, thinking, I should paint it dark blue and stick glow in the dark stars on it. She remembered her childhood room and the many glow in the dark stars that dotted her ceiling. And maybe some glitter paint in bright blue, green, and pink like far off galaxies. She smiled at the thought. It would be lovely and comforting and this was her house. She could do whatever she wanted with it. Lucien heard the thoughts and saw the images of looking up at an extraordinary night sky before going to bed at night. He convey the thoughts to Karr, Dione, Astral, Lydia, Ralof, and Grete.
"I can arrange these glow in the dark stars in the constellations of Mundus," Dione pointed out in a whisper, not wanting Belinda to hear. "But, what are these things exactly?"
Karr explained, though Ralof and Grete didn't quite understand it. Dione seemed to understand it more. Karr Planeswalked away to get the items in question as Belinda trudged downstairs. She blinked at the rip in reality, the flow of aether steam as it jetted in from the Blind Eternities, and Karr was gone in a dissipation of snow-white, onyx-black, and gold smoke. Grete and Ralof were speechless, not quite sure what exactly just happened. Lucien was licking his paw. Astral was fascinated. Dione tilted her head to the side and looked to Belinda.
"Is that how we look to others?" she asked.
"Well, the doorway to the Blind Eternities is the same, but the dissipation is different for everyone," Belinda answered. She went to the pantry to see what they had for food. She settled for cookies since she could. This is how I adult, she thought, taking ten cookies and pouring herself a glass of milk for her breakfast.
"I'm fairly certain that's not how to adult," Lucien pointed out, deciding not to speak physically.
"Silence," Belinda responded, dunking in a cookie and swirling it around. She looked to Dione and asked, "Why did Karr Planeswalk?"
"Something about an errand he needed to run," Dione answered, eating a strip of jerky. She was a good enough liar. "Not quite sure honestly. I'm gonna head to the market and listen to the gossip." She stood and went out the door. It was the truth. She was going to listen to the latest gossip since that's how a thief learned interesting tidbits. But her true motive was to get some paint for Belinda's bedroom ceiling. Midnight blue along with smaller cans of bright blue, green, and pink to paint the night sky. Karr would handle the glitter paint and stars. Astral slipped away to make lanterns of Masser and Secunda. Lucien went to the Companions to talk to them about a party to distract Belinda while the others got the ceiling done.
Belinda shrugged and ate her cookies. "They're up to something," she muttered, really more to herself than to Ralof and Grete.
"I'm going to go check the temple and see if anyone needs healing," Ralof announced, taking his leave.
"Want to go riding?" Grete asked.
"Sure."
Lucien entered Jorrvaskr and went up to Sieghard. "So, where can we go around her to get a damn good chocolate cake?" he asked.
"Carlotta," Farkas answered. "Whenever she gets baking chocolate, she bakes the best chocolate cakes in all of Skyrim. In fact, I happen to know Ysolda sold her some chocolate yesterday. Ysolda is really the best person to talk to about getting ahold of fancy chocolates though."
"Farkas: Never doubt your intelligence," Lucien stated. He gathered the rest of the circle around. "Belinda's birthday was four days ago, and yet again, she didn't get to celebrate it properly. She loves chocolate cake with white buttercream frosting and purple buttercream roses."
"I'll talk to Carlotta about the cake," Farkas stated. "Maybe I'll get some cupcakes on the side." He left to speak with Carlotta.
Sieghard and Aela hurried off to hunt down a nice big stag for supper while Tilma watched after little Kodlak. Ria and Athis decorated while Njada and Torvar hauled up the best kegs. Of course, Torvar, being the loud drunkard he is, declared to all of Whiterun about the party celebrating the Dragonborn becoming an adult. Dione heard it on the gossip mill and groaned. Of course Torvar couldn't keep his big mouth shut. Lucien was buying fruits and veggies for the pot for supper and Dione walked up to him, carrying sealed cans of paint.
"Well, this was subtle," she pointed out. "Now there's going to be a big party and Belinda will get uncomfortable."
Carlotta and Farkas nodded, also at the stall. "I have noticed Belinda doesn't really like crowds and usually comes to the market when there's fewer people around," Carlotta pointed out, loading Lucien's baskets up with produce.
"I'm gonna kick Torvar's a-." Farkas started, but Carlotta cut him off with a scolding glare and a harsh, "Language." Her daughter Mila was running up with Lars Battle-Born, currently the youngest of the clan.
"His Mr. Cat," Lars and Mila greeted.
Lucien gave a feline smile and summoned little illusory butterflies to flutter around the children. They giggled and chased them around. Lars's older brother watched with an approving smile from his place in the shadows. Carlotta and Farkas smiled also.
"I'm going to head back to Jorrvaskr," Lucien reported, hurrying off.
"I'll get to work on the cake," Carlotta added, putting away her goods and locking up the stall for today. "It's last minute, but Farkas said he'll pay well."
"And I'll get to work on the ceiling," Dione muttered, heading back to Breezehome where Lydia helped her out. Dione was lightweight and so sat on Lydia's strong, broad shoulders. The Nord carried the half-elf around Belinda's room, giving her extra height to reach the ceiling with the paint. While some spots were still wet, Dione swirling the neon colors in. When done, Lydia got down so Dione could get off. They looked up.
"How's it look?" she asked.
"Pretty," Lydia answered, looking at the rich dark blue with swirls of brighter color.
"And we're not even done yet," Dione sighed, making Lydia groan. "Karr isn't back yet with the rest of the stuff to finish the ceiling." She turned to the other woman. "Let's go get you something for your shoulders."
Helgan, Whiterun Hold
Skyrim, Nirn
The 10th of Heartfire, 4E202
They had made incredible time on horseback, racing from the stables all the way to the crossroads. They turned south and trotted their horses up the zig-zagging south road, across the bridge, through Riverwood, and raced the rest of the way to Helgan. They entered the ruins of the Imperial Fortress. Belinda looked around. The hole where Alduin shoved his head through the wall was still in the tower, the inn was still standing despite all odds, and the house where Hamming and his parents lived had collapsed. Belinda wondered: Whatever happened to the boy?
"I should have been here," Grete muttered. "I could have done something to help."
"No one expected a fucking dragon to swoop in and destroy the place," Belinda pointed out. They found the execution block, the charred remains of the executioner and the Nord who shouted at the priestess of Arkay, and the blackened axe. "I was about to be executed, but I was about to Planeswalk the fuck out of here. It wasn't my fight back then, so I didn't really give a damn one way or the other. I was just going to disappear, reappear somewhere else after a week, and pretend it never happened. Then Alduin showed up and everything went to the worst side of the worst side of Oblivion." She sighed. "Alduin…What a pretentious fucking asshole." She then turned to the inn. "Hmm, I remember something Ralof said when we met. He wondered if some guy named Vilod was still making mead with juniper berries mixed in. It sounded like he really liked it…"
"Maybe…" Grete agreed.
They entered the ruined inn, looking around. The floorboards under their feet groaned and a portion of the interior collapsed where Belinda had jumped down from the second story. Barrels lay on the side the bar was crumbling with scorches on the stones. The wood was gone. Belinda found a barrel on its side with scorches. Inside were some bottles. She picked up one and wiped away the ash and soot from the label: Juniper Berry Mead.
"I found the mead!" she called to Grete.
The redhead came over and helped her padded the bottles and they bagged them before returning to their horses. As they rode out of ruins, they saw someone riding up the road on a dark grey steed. He wore a heavy cloak lined with…Feathers? He rode up to them, making them pause and pointed behind them.
"Is that Helgan?" he asked.
"It is," Belinda answered.
"And if I follow the road through, I will eventually find Riften, correct?" the stranger asked.
"Yes; it is a couple days travel from here," Belinda answered, "but the fort is in ruin and you won't find the next inn for another day. There is an old abandoned shack along the road a few hours from here though a while before Ivarrstead. Otherwise, you might end up riding through the night."
The stranger nodded. "Again, thank you." He rode past them and into the ruins. Belinda and Grete watched him disappear in ruins before turning turned their horses back to their course and raced back to Whiterun.
Whiterun, Whiterun Hold
Skyrim, Nirn
The 10th of Heartfire, 4E202
Karr 'walked back into existence from far away. He had arrived behind the Whiterun stables. Perfect. He looked through his crystal beads and saw the wall. He climbed up easily, not even thinking about it. It was just easier that way and he ran between buildings and merchants to Breezehome. Inside, Dione was icing Lydia's shoulders and the two looked up.
"I have the stars and glitter paint," he reported.
They went upstairs and Dione, this time with both Lydia and Karr's help, paint the bright patches of blue, pink, and green with glitter then arrange the stars in the constellations. Once down, they let her down and Dione and Lydia studied the ceiling. It was stunning. That was when Astral came up carrying the lanterns. Lydia and Karr got Dione up to put hooks in the ceiling for the lantern moons. They heard the front door open downstairs and Belinda and Grete entered.
"We're back!" Belinda called. "And we brought mead!"
"What kind of mead?" Karr asked. "I haven't had a proper drink in a while!"
"If not for your angel blood, I'd complain about how rancid your liver must be!" Belinda shot up. "And it's juniper!" Karr led the others down, where they saw Belinda and Grete unwrapping the bottles and setting them on the table. Belinda turned to them and asked, "So what were you all doing up in my room?"
"You'll see tonight after supper," Karr answered. "Astral told me we've been invited to dinner at Jorrvaskr."
"Then I should go change into proper clothes," Belinda pointed out.
"Actually, sweetie, Dione and I want to doll you up!" Astral told her. "We bought some lovely fabrics and threads at the market and we want to make you a nice party dress!"
"A party dress?" Belinda asked, raising a brow.
"Absolutely sweetie!" Astral replied. They took her hand and led her downstairs. Dione followed.
Everyone sighed in relief. They got in their finest and Belinda returned after sunset, wearing a slimming purple dress with flowing, off-shoulder sleeves and the neckline and hems of the dress and sleeves lined with silver fur. She wore a black felt choker with an amethyst cabochon beautiful silver embroidery. Karr saw her through the beads and his breath was taken away. Somehow, they had managed to get Belinda's hair just like Amanisa's: A beautiful and intricate braided bun with a beautiful comb at the base. She wore a black leather glove over her scarred hand with the ring finger folded over and clipped to the palm. By now, Ralof and Lucien had returned.
"How do I looked?" she asked.
Ralof gave a whistle of approval.
"Lovely," Grete answered.
"Here, here," Lucien agreed.
"Stunning," Karr added.
Spyro flew over and settled on Belinda's shoulders. "Thank you; you'll keep my shoulders nice and toasty," Belinda giggled, scratching his chin. "To be honest, I think this is a bit elegant for an evening out." She grabbed her purse and slipped a bottle of juniper berry mead into it.
"No, it's fine!" Dione pointed out, having changed into her best tunic and trousers.
They hurried to Jorrvaskr, Belinda noticing how quiet the streets were. Only the guards were out and The Drunken Huntsman and The Banner Mare were oddly quiet. It did seem a bit odd. They arrived at the Gildergreen, which radiated with magic. The leaves were the colors of fire, alerting the change in seasons and most of the fruits were ripe and ready to be picked. Karr looked at the brilliant, jewel-like aura that was Belinda against the soft, colorful glow of the Gildergreen. Ralof exited the temple and walked over.
"Oh, Ralof!" Belinda greeted. "Grete and I were in Helgan earlier and found something you might like." She pulled out the bottle of juniper berry mead and handed it to him.
"You found this?" Ralof asked in awe.
"We found a few more bottles that survived the destruction of Helgan," Belinda answered.
"Thank you for this," Ralof said. "It means a lot that you were able to find and save something like this, especially since Vilod died in Alduin's attack on Helgan. Maybe we can find a way to recreate it in his memory."
"Farkas brews mead as a hobby; so let's bring the bottle to him," Belinda suggested. "We're heading up to Jorrvaskr now."
Ralof nodded and joined them up the steps. They entered the ancient mead hall to a loud "SURPRISE!" Belinda nearly fell over in alarm and saw then what everyone had been up to. That and why the streets were so quiet. Everyone came up to greet her and she forced a smile and politeness. There were so many people it was dizzying. She was no social butterfly and usually kept her friends. Quality over quantity after all. A few people wanted to personally thank her for various tasks and errands she had helped with. Finally, Sieghard came up and patted her head.
"Sorry about all these people," he apologized. "Tovar couldn't keep his big mouth shut."
Belinda gave him a genuine smile. "It's okay. Just a bit overwhelming is all. I'll kick his ass later," she responded.
"Want some help?" Farkas asked, coming in. "I'm big and strong after all."
Belinda giggled. "Sure thing!"
Farkas then got her on his large shoulder and carried her around. People tossed flower petals and fallen leaves at her, making her laugh. Farkas set her down and Ria put a crown of purple mountain flowers on Belinda's head. Karr took a glimpse through the crystal beads and saw how beautiful she was. The local children, Lars, Mila, Braith, and Lucia held hands and danced around her until joined their ring. Then came the feast, then the cake, and, finally, gifts. Belinda told everyone she didn't really care whether or not they brought gifts, especially since the party was really last minute from her understanding. Then, the doors opened and everyone turned to who entered. It was a tall, imposing figure, a hood shrouding his appearance, but eyes glowed like lava. The Circle stood, tensed and ready to attack. They smelt it: A Vampire.
Karr always said there was a Vampire that can Planeswalk; this must be him, Belinda thought. She rose. "Sieghard, it's fine. He's a friend," she assured.
Sieghard looked at her, almost thinking she lost her mind. But her eyes seemed to speak to him. He turned to the rest of the Circle and nodded to them. They sat, but stayed tense. Karr went up to the stranger and asked, "Must you make an entrance?"
"It is a grave matter," the stranger answered. "Could you and Lucien step outside and spare me a moment?" He was polite and retreated into the night. Karr gestured for Lucien and the Lynx trotted through the crowd. Dione spoke mentally to Belinda.
"Ever had the moment where you were treated like a child?" she asked.
"That's how the Old Ones are," Belinda answered. "We younger ones are children compared to them." She knew that wouldn't satisfy Dione's curiosity. "Wanna act like children and spy on the adults?" she gave the Dunmer a smile.
"Let's," she answered quietly.
The young women stood and slipped through the crowd of murmuring guest. Astral saw them and quickly drew attention, getting everyone to dance to music and the bards to play. Belinda and Dione slipped out the open doors and snuck around the back to try and find and hear the conversation between the Old 'Walkers. They were in the shadows of the Skyforge. The stranger was pacing. All three of the Old 'Walkers knew they were there, and the stranger didn't bother denying it.
"Do not skulk; it is unbecoming," the stranger ordered.
Belinda and Dione joined them in the shadows and the stranger removed his hood. Dione could see best in low lighting, so she knew the stranger's skin was ashen and that his hair was white. If not for the unnatural glow of his eyes, black sclera, and human-looking ears, he might have been mistaken for a Dunmer. But this made it all too obvious. This stranger was a Vampire, and Belinda called him a Planeswalker and told her there was only one Vampiric Planeswalker that she knew of. She was a little unsettled. Dione had hoped that she would never meet this being. Belinda approached him without fear.
"So, you're the vampire Planeswalker?" Dione asked.
"I am Sorin Markov," the stranger answered, "and you will keep your hands where I can see them, and away from my pockets." His tone was stern and full of warning.
"I am not remotely interested in trying to steal from you," Dione pointed out.
"Keep it that way." Sorin looked to Belinda. "Happy belated birthday. I have two birthday presents for you and something I had meant to return to Amanisa, but never got the chance to. Would you hold out your right wrist?"
Belinda did so. "Thank you, by the way, but how did you-?" Sorin put a silver bracelet on her wrist. It had a smooth, bright red bloodstone on it. It had a soft glow to it, indicating it was full of magic. Sorin must have stored blood magic in it. Next, he handed her a vial of his blood. She asked, "What's this for? I get the bracelet, but the blood…?"
"Vampire blood has several beneficial properties," Sorin answered. "It can cure the common cold and heal the deepest of wounds. Use it wisely." He reached inside her coat and pulled out a leather-bound book. "I borrowed this from Amanisa's private collection. I never got to return it. It is yours now."
Belinda took the book. She was curious as to what it was and flipped it open to a random page. Her eyes went wide and her cheeks went pink. Dione raised a brow and looked over her shoulder. "Whoa," she commented. "I don't think that's physically possible."
"What was that book?" Karr asked.
"Okay, now I know that can't be physically possible," Dione pointed out, still looking at the book.
"Just a book; I have a question and a favor," Sorin answered Karr.
"You're the flexible one," Belinda told Dione. "Maybe you should give it a try."
Karr raised a brow. "What?"
"I suppose so," Dione agreed.
Sorin produced a gaudy looking dagger from his coat, drawing Belinda's and Dione's gazes. It was wide and edge was slightly curved, but the blade was adorned with spikes that stabbed through what looked like a bar connected to the guard. The blade looked almost like bone. Overall, it was impractical and would be worthless in battle because of the spikes and bar. Dione raised a brow at it. Who would make something so worthless? Belinda saw it before her: Magic. Of course, this dagger was useless in a physical fight, but it had a unique magic to it.
"The Ancient Fang," Karr stated. "Where was it?"
"It made its way to Innistrad," Sorin answered. "Before that, the Cult of Rakdos on Ravnica had it and before even that, it was used by Sifa Grent of Grixis. It's caused a lot of problems. My favor is that you hide it."
"Done," Karr responded, taking the dagger. "Dione: You're Master of the Thieves Guild and Archmage of Winterhold College. This artifact requires the highest level of security. Can you craft a vault?"
"I'll get my people working once we reach Riften," she told him. She looked at the dagger and asked, "What exactly is that?"
"Annoying," Sorin answered.
"I'd demonstrate, but Sorin would likely kill me," Karr chuckled.
"The Ancient Fang…Isn't that the dagger known for mass murder of the living and undead?" Belinda asked.
"What?" Dione exclaimed, looking wide-eyed to Belinda.
"Yes," Karr, Lucien, and Sorin answered.
"Oh, I heard this story from another Planeswalker a few years ago," Belinda explained. "He was from Fiora and the people of his hometown were all killed by the woman Sorin mentioned, Sifa Grent. We exchanged some gossip and stories we've heard. I told him there were some real oddball Planeswalkers out there including a vampire. He actually laughed at that."
"Dack Fayden," Sorin groaned.
"Seriously, is there anyone you don't know?" Dione asked.
"Plenty," Belinda answered, started to shift weight from one foot to the other. She didn't like standing around for too long.
Sorin turned back to Karr and Lucien. "My question is for the both of you," he told them. "I need to know where Ugin might be. The seals and wards imprisoning the Eldrazi have been broken and now they're loose on Zendikar. Ugin didn't show up."
"The Eldrazi are loose?!" Lucien exclaimed, ears flattening and tail curling up. He looked down, thinking. "I haven't seen him in thirteen hundred years. I'll give you a list of planes to look for him, including his homeplane of Tarkir." His eyes shone teal and he transferred the mental list to Sorin's mind.
Sorin inhaled deeply and exhaled. Receiving information like this was taxing on anyone, but he was used to it. Belinda and Karr could see the stream of memories magically. He nodded to the four.
"Thank you for your assistance," he said, turning away from them. "I apologize that I cannot stay for the festivities, but Ugin must be found."
Belinda tapped her aventurine and sent a telepathically sent an image of the monster that had chased her and Dione when they were on Zendikar. It made Sorin pause. The memory was unwelcomed.
"Was that an Eldrazi?" Belinda asked.
"That was one of the brood of the Eldrazi," Sorin answered, "and that ash was waste and devastation in its truest form. So why did you lick it?"
Dione gave a cross between a giggle and snort. Belinda rolled her eyes. "Because I'm dumb like that," she answered, and Dione went and leaned against the wall, trembling and giggling like an idiot. Karr and Lucien said nothing, but the latter caught the barest hint of amusement on Sorin's face. When was the last time Sorin had grinned?
Too long ago, Lucien thought. There's still some humanity left in him.
"Now if you'll excuse me; there's someone on Harmonia I must speak to," Sorin told them, and he slipped through a black rip in reality, and was gone in a haze of soot black, moonlight white, and blood red smoke…